Big win for Saxton and Schalk at world championships

July 5, 2013, STARE JABLONKI, Poland (ISN) – Ben Saxton of Calgary and Chaim Schalk of Red Deer, Alta., contributed to a rough day for Polish fans Friday upsetting previously undefeated Piotr Kantor and Bartosz Losiak 21-19, 27-29, 15-8 in the round of 32 at the FIVB World Championships in beach volleyball before a standing-room only crowd.

Saxton and Schalk, in their first season together, improve to 2-2 overall and will face sixth seeds Janis Smedins and Aleksandrs Samoilovs in the round of 16 on Saturday. The Canadians, seeded-40th, are also assured at least a season-best ninth place finish.

Poland had four teams in the round of 32 and only one advanced. Number-one seeds Grzegorz Fijalek and Mariusz Prudel were beaten by fifth-seeds Pedro and Bruno of Brazil.